Pronated escape system for fighter aircraft

Abstract

An improved aircraft ejection seat system is described which embodies a forward leaning position for an occupant of the aircraft providing enhanced acceleration tolerance for an occupant during ejection from the cockpit, comprising a platform supporting at a rearward end thereof a seat having a seat back and seat pan sized and configured for accommodating the occupant, a forwardly disposed cowling integral with and faired to the platform for providing windblast protection to the occupant, a solid or cushioned upright wall member disposed centrally of the platform and extending between the seat and cowling and supporting an inclined chest plate for supporting the chest of the occupant in the forward leaning position, a head rest and a shield disposed near the upper end of the plate for shielding the occupant's head upon ejection from the aircraft, and a restraint harness for holding the occupant in the forward leaning position against the plate upon ejection from the aircraft.

We claim: 
     
       1. An ejectable seat system for an aircraft cockpit, comprising: (a) a platform supporting at a rearward end thereof a seat having a seat back and seat pan sized and configured for receiving an occupant of said cockpit;   (b) said platform supporting at a forward end thereof a generally upwardly extending cowling substantially integral with said platform and faired therewith for providing windblast protection to said occupant upon ejection from said cockpit;   (c) an upright wall member disposed on said platform generally centrally thereof and extending between said seat and said cowling, said wall member supporting an inclined chest plate extending generally from said seat pan to an upper end of said cowling for supporting the chest of said occupant in a forward leaning position within said cockpit;   (d) a shield disposed on said cowling near an upper end of said plate for shielding the head of said occupant upon ejection from said cockpit; and   (e) harness means for releasably holding said occupant in said forward leaning position against said plate upon ejection from said cockpit.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a head rest of said plate substantially immediately behind said shield for supporting the head of said occupant upon ejection from said cockpit. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 1 further comprising means interconnecting said seat pan and plate for adjusting the position of said seat pan along said plate. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a deployable fabric fence laterally of said platform and extending generally between said seat and said cowling for confining the feet of said occupant behind said cowling upon ejection from said cockpit. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of rollers attached to said seat back for engaging corresponding guides mounted within said cockpit for guiding said seat upon ejection from said cockpit.